Tesla to retire lowest-priced versions of Model S, X cars

san francisco — Tesla will stop selling the lowest-range versions of its Model S sedans and Model X SUVs from Monday, CEO Elon Musk said.

“Starting on Monday, Tesla will no longer be taking orders for the 75 kWh version of the Model S & X,” Musk revealed in a tweet, while asking people interested in buying those vehicles to place their orders latest by Sunday.

Higher-end versions of the S and X, equipped with a 100kWh battery, will still be made and sold by Tesla, but at a higher price, CNBC reported, adding that Tesla did not respond to inquires as to why the S and X offerings were pared back.

The price for a new Model S will start at $94,000 and the starting price for a Model X will be $97,000 from next week, according to Musk’s announcement.

The Model S and X are Tesla’s second and third major lines of electric vehicles, and are higherpriced lines compared to its newest Model 3, the report said.

Tesla is taking steps to start Model 3 production in China.

Earlier this week, Musk laid the foundation of a Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai — the first-ever outside the US — that is expected to produce 500,000 EVs per year and double Tesla’s production capacity.

“Aiming to finish initial construction this summer, start Model 3 production end of year & reach high volume production next year,” Musk had tweeted, adding that “Shanghai Giga production of Model 3/Y will serve greater China region”. —